Wire-stretcher.



No. 845,102. PATBNTBD FEB. 2e, 1907. o. B. LEWIS. WIRE STRETCHBR.

APPLICATION FILD APB-5. 1906.

Manila OLIVER E. LEWIS, OF BENSON, NEBRASKA.4

WIRE-STRETCHER.

' Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 26, 1907.

Application filed Aprii E. 1906. Serial No. 310,114.

T fil/ZZ whom t may concern,.-

Be it known that I, OLIVER E. LEwis, a citizen 'of the United States, residing at Benson, in the county of Douglas and State of Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wire-Stretchers; and 1 do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the o art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple, eiiicient, and conveniently-operated wire-stretcher of light portable character,

5 suitable for use by linenen or others either on the ground or while working on telegraphpoles or elsewhere at heights above the ground, the device being adapted to be held and manipulated by one hand, leaving the o linemans other hand free for grasping the pole or other support.

One preferred form or embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specilica- 5 tion, and with reference to which the invention will hereinafter be more fully described and will then be more particularly pointed out and defined in the appended claims.

Figure 1 of said drawings is a side view c representing the device in use. Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional View of the lever-operated machine, showing the operating lever or handle thereof disengaged from the ratchetwheel, which is held from reverse movement 5 by a detent or lug. Fig. 3 is a side view of the lever-operated machine, showing the lever or handle engaged with the ratchetwheel for turning the same in a direction to stretch'the wire. Fig. 4 is a central longitu- 4o dinal section of said machine, said section being transverse ofthe wheel.

As shown in Fig. 1, the stretcher is interposed between an anchor post or support, such as the telegraph-pole A and the wire or wires to be stretched, the latter being designated by the letter B. The complete apparatus comprises the machine O and a rope or cable D, preferabiyr a iiexible steel cable or wire /ro hereinafter referred to as the 5o cable, connected between the pole or support A and the wire B and adapted to be wound up by the machine O for stretching, drawing, or pulling the wire B. As shown, said cable D is equipped at one end with a wire-clamp E, whlch positively grips or clutches the wire B, while the opposite end of said cable is provided with a hook F, by means of which the cable can be looped around the pole A and secured thereto by catching said hook over the cable. An intermediate portion of the cable D is engaged by the machine O.

The machine C comprises a narrow ratchetv wheel which is composed of two similar disks or thin circular plates 1, having a central axle or axle-pin 2 and spaced and rigidly connected by two intervening connections, as the lugs 3, which are centrally disposed around or at opposite sides ofthe axle-pin 2, making a divided or two-part hub. These lugs or half-hubs 3 are shown curved or preferably approximately kidney-shaped, the lugs being spaced apart with their convex sides confronting. Said lugs may be either rigidly afiixed to or formed or cast integrally with one or both of the disks, but they are preferably formed or cast integrally with one disk and attached to the other byl means of rivets passing through said lugs and both disks. The axle-pin 2 may be an ordinary bolt or headed pin. To reduce the weight of the apparatus, the disks l are formed with large openings. The perimeters of both disksare provided with ratchetteeth, making, in effect, a single narrow ratchet-wheel. The space between the disks is wide enough to accommodate the cable D, which is passed between s aid disks through the said divided hub or between the axle-pin 2 and either one of said lugs 3. Hence by turning the ratchet-wheel the cable D will be engaged by both lugs at opposite sides ofthe axle-pin and stretched or taken up by pulling the opposite runs of the cable inwardly in opposite directions. This ratchet-wheel is arranged between the straps or side pieces 5 of a forked or bifurcated lever 4, the said straps or side pieces 5 being curved and provided with slots 6, engaging the axle-pin 2. While the lever may be of any appropriate construction, such as an integral bar with a bifurcated or forked portion embracing the ratchet-wheel, for the sake of lightness and cheapness it is preferably made, as shown, with the wooden handle 4 and the metal Astraps 5 attached thereto by therings or bands 7 The ratchet-wheel is adaptedto be engaged by a dog or tooth 8, carried by the lever, said tooth being shown riveted between the straps 5 and also havin` a tan 9 inserted in the wooden handle portlon of t e lever to insure sufficient strength to take the strain ICO . teeth, and when said axle-pin 2- is seated in the opposite end of said slots the dog is moved into engagement with the ratchetteeth. The curve of the straps 5 is such as to allow a longer throw or movement of the lever in turning the ratchet-wheel. Pivotally mounted on the axle-pin 2 is a rectangular frame or yoke 10, inclosing the ratchetwheel and preferably arranged between the same and the straps 5 of the forked lever. Said frame or yoke 10 may comprise two side straps connected by cross-pins 11 and 12 at opposite ends thereof, the said crosspins being arranged at opposite sides of the perimeter of the ratchet-wheel. The said yoke 10 carries at one end a dog or detent 13, adapted to engage the ratchet-wheel and prevent reverse movement thereof when the dog 8 of the operating-lever is disen aged therefrom. Said detent 13 is preferab y arranged to engage the ratchet-wheel at the opposite side of the yoke 10 from the dog 8, so as to avoid interference with or limiting the range of movement of the lever. The cable D passes under the cross-pin 12 at that end of the yoke 10 to which the detent 13 is pivoted or attached, and said cable passes over the cross-pin 11 at the opposite end of said yoke, whereby the tension of the cable tends to force the detent 13 in a direction to engage the ratchet-wheel, and when said ratchet-wheel is held by said dog or detent 13 the strain is supported by the cable itself, it being observed that the yoke 10 is, in effect, a lever operated on by the `cable to hold the dog in retaining position in engagement with the ratchet-wheel. Should the dog 13 become disengaged from the ratchetwheel, the pressure of the cable on the crosspins 11 and 12 would immediately throw said dog or detent away from the cable and around to an inoperative position, and to prevent this the end'of the yoke carrying the dog or detent is held to the cable by means of a loop or ring 14, attached to said yoke and through which the cable is passed.

In operation the apparatus is installed substantially as shown in Fig. 1, the machine C being preferably so disposed that the lineman hugging the telegraph-pole A can pull the lever 5 toward him for stretching the wire, thus obtaining a purchase on the telegraph-pole, while the opposite or reverse movement of the lever to obtain a new engagement on the ratchet-wheel can easily be made away from the poe, since there is no resistance to this movement of the lever. v

The apparatus being thus installed, the lineman grasps the handle or lever 4 and shoves the same toward the ratchet-wheel to engage the dog 8 therewith, and he then pulls said handle or lever around to turn the ratchetwheel. inasmuch as the cable D is inserted through the divided-hub portion or between the lugs 3 the turning of the ratchet-wheel will causesaid lugs to engage the cable atopposite sides of the axle-pin 2 and will therefore pull or stretch said 'cable inwardly from its opposite ends, thus drawing inward or stretching the wire t0 which said cable is attached. After the lineman has pulled the lever around to the full limit of its movement he moves the same away from lthe ratchet-wheel to disengage the dog 8 therefrom, the ratchet-wheel being held against reverse movement by the dog or detent 13, thus allowing the operator to move back the lever for obtaining a new engagement with the ratchet-wheeland allowing him to repeat the operation as many times as desired for stretching the wire and drawing it up to the telegraph-pole. The repeated turns of the ratchet-wheel will cause a double winding of the cable around the hub portion or lugs 3, secured between the two disks or plates of the ratchet-wheel. It will be observed that by reason of the curve in the straps 5 of the lever the lineman can have a long range of movement of the handle without obstruction by his own person.

It will be understood the invention may be embodied in machines of different forms, sizes, and relative dimensions, and that various modications may be made in the details of construction thereof. The device is also adapted for general use for stretching, pulling, or drawing, either for stretching telegraph, trolley, or other wires and drawing the same up to the supportingpoles, as herein illustrated, or for use as a midwire stretcher or take-up or as a fencestretcher and various analogous purposes.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. A wire-stretcher comprising a ratchetwheel, means carried thereby for engaging a flexible cable intermediately of its length and for taking up or drawing said cable from opposite directions, a lever having a dog adapted to engage said ratchet-wheel to turn the same in a direction to take up the cable, and a holdingdetent for preventing reverse movement of the ratchet-wheel and means whereby said detent is forced into engagement with said ratchet-Wheel by the tension of said cable'.

p 2. A wire-stretcher comprising a ratchetwheel having means for engaging a cable, an operating-lever therefor provided with a dog IIC or tooth and having a pin-and-slot connection With said Wheel axially thereof, a detent engaging saidv Wheel to prevent reverse rotation, a holder for said detent pivotally mounted on the axle of said Wheel, and` means acting on said holder for holding said detent in engagement with said Wheel.

3. A Wire-stretcher comprising a narrow two-part ratchet-Wheel consisting of spaced toothed disks having a divided-hub connection adapted to receive a flexible cable therethrough, an operating-lever therefor having a fork or bifurcation embracing and holding said Wheel and pivotally connected thereto at the axis of said wheel, and a dog carried by said lever for engaging said Wheel.

4. A Wire-stretcher comprising a ratchetwheel consisting of two toothed disks having an axle-pin and intermediate lugs at opposite sides of said axle-pin7 the same bemg adapted to receive a flexible cablebetiveen said lugs, a bifurcated or forked lever having slotted arms or branches engaging said axlepin, the ratchet-wheel being arranged between said arms or branches, a dog carried by the lever adapted to be moved thereby to engage and disengage the ratchet-Wheel, and a lever member pivotally mounted on said axle-pin carrying a holding-detent and adapted to be operated on by said cable to hold said detent in engagement with said ratchet.

5. A Wire-stretcher comprising a ratchet- Wheel consisting of tWo toothed disks having an axle-pin and intermediate lugs at opposite sides of said axle-pin, the same being adapted to receive a flexible cable between said lugs, a bifurcated or forked lever having slotted arms or branches engaging said axlepin, the ratchet-Wheel being arranged between said arms or branches, a dog carried by the lever adapted to be moved thereby to engage and disengage the ratchet-Wheel, a yoke or frame pivotally mounted on said axle-pin, and a holding-detent at one end of said yoke adapted to engage said ratchet- Wheel and prevent reverse movement thereof, the opposite end of said yoke adapted to be engaged by the cable and forced in a direction to hold said detent in engagement.

6. A Wire-stretcher comprising a ratchet- Wheel consisting of two toothed disks having an intervening hub portion for engaging a flexible cable, a lever constituting the sole holder for said wheel and having an axial connection therewith, a dog carried thereby adapted to engage said ratchet-Wheel for turning the same in operative direction, a holding-detent, and a support therefor axially attached to said ratchet-Wheel.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of tWo Witnesses.

OLIVER E. LEWIS. Witnesses:

OsGooD H. DoWELL, I. M. LAUBER. 

